Microorganisms are very diverse in nature and cannot be seen with the naked eye. The credit of using the microscope to its full advantage goes to Anton Van Leeuwenhoek, who in the year 1674 using the single lens microscope studied microorganisms. With subsequent development of technology, the modest laboratory microscope has grown in complexity and has become more diverse, accurate and refined.

These instruments are of staple use in labs to accurately see different microorganisms. A general microscope is made up of various lenses that allow us to magnify the smallest of objects and observe their characteristics. Also called light microscopes, these lab microscopes use light to illuminate and magnify the sample that is being observed.

These light microscopes can be broadly classified as:

1. Bright field microscopes

2. Dark field microscopes

3. Phase contrast microscopes

4. Fluorescence microscopes

The ordinary light microscope has the capability of magnifying an object from five to hundred times its size. These microscopes are used in medical laboratories to examine blood samples and body fluids to determine diseases and identify the presence of bacteria or infections etc. The presence of parasites or other harmful microorganism in the body can also be determined with the general light microscope.

Another category of microscopes is polarized microscopes. A polarized microscope is the advanced version of a light microscope and works as a conjunction of the two elements of polarization and analysis. The polarizer in the microscope allows light of a particular wavelength to pass through it which is then combined by the analyzer in a manner that a pattern is exposed. When these two elements are combined they give a more refined and clearer polarized view of the specimen being inspected.

A polarized microscope is of great use to geologists as it helps them examine liquids, minerals and crystals. Apart from that, these microscopes are used extensively by forensic researchers and scientists as it has the capability to detect chemicals in the blood serum and identify prevailing diseases, presence of contaminants, poison or other lethal chemicals.

The compound microscope is a high powered microscope that has three objectives and consists of one to two eyepieces. The smallest of the objectives can magnify to a resolution of 10 X and can go up to 400X when used with an oil immersion. The benefit of using oil immersion when magnifying a specimen to such proportions is that oil helps in the clear transmission of light and makes the object, which is scrutinized, appear clearer and more refined. High frequency light is transmitted with the use of a polarized condenser from below and passes through the specimen. This microscope has found its use for forensic scientists, biologists, zoologists, oncologists, botanists, bacteriologists, hematologists, parasitologists, entomologists and mycologists.

The stereo microscope is of extreme use when objects need to be viewed in a three dimensional angle. This laboratory microscope has two objectives that are set at different angles and therefore provide a three dimensional image. Detailed examination and dissection of specimens can be easily seen through this microscope.

Take a look at other targeted resources about lab microscope products as well as lab microscope applications.

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